Two nationwide check scams undercovered by revenue dept.

The Georgia Department of Revenue has uncovered two nationwide check scams that involve fake DOR checks and incorrect banking information.

In the first scam, individuals receive a letter from a Canadian-based company which states "your grant in the amount of $50,000 (Fifty Thousand Dollars) has been approved." Attached to the letter is a check, which appears to have been issued by the Georgia Department of Revenue.

The letter asks the recipients to call a Canadian phone number "immediately to verify your file" and to "prevent any delay with the release of your grant." The letter specifies a deadline in which to claim the grant.

During the phone call, an agent attempts to get the caller to divulge personal information including their bank account information.

Some recipients have deposited the check into their banking account. However, the check is blocked when it attempts to clear DOR's account. When this occurs, the bank where the original deposit was made asks the depositor to return any money they received as a result of depositing a fraudulent check. The bank might also charge additional administrative fees for depositing a check with insufficient funds.

"The Georgia Department of Revenue does not mail checks to individuals through any third party," said Georgia Revenue Commissioner Bart L. Graham. "Checks issued by the Georgia Department of Revenue are mailed directly to the check's payee."

The second scam involves a company (identified on the check as AIRSERV located in Atlanta) issuing checks with inaccurate banking information.

Other signs to look for regarding these scams:

.. The social security number displays the wrong number of digits and has a different font than the rest of the check.

.. There is no social security number entered on the check.

.. The check's number is in a different font.

.. The check is issued by AIRSERV.

Individuals receiving one of these letters or checks should take it to their nearest law enforcement office and fill out a Victim of Fraud complaint. They should also report the matter to the Georgia Department of Revenue at (404) 417-4460.